After being inactive from professional boxing for a year and 277 days, the Flint-born fighter completed his comeback with a knockout.

Dirrell floored Darryl Cunningham in the second round on Friday night.

The bout was officially stopped at the 2:05 mark of the round.

It was nationally televised live on Showtime.

“I am just so happy to be back,’’ said Dirrell after his first fight since March 27, 2010. “I wanted it to go further, but I felt really good. My hands felt lighter, my feet felt fast. I’d say I fought at about 99.5 percent, which was more than I could ask for.”

Former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor also made his comeback on the telecast after a 26-month break with a eighth round knockout over Jessie Nicklow.

Dirrell last beat Arthur Abraham 21 months ago by way of disqualification after getting clocked with an illegal punch at the Joe Louis Arena in Motown.

Abraham’s blow caused neurological problems for Dirrell but he has been cleared by doctors to box for eight months.

Dirrell (20-1, 14 KOs) eased his way back into the sport with a solid first round.

He landed a few clean jabs and looked comfortable versus his opponent.

In the second round, Dirrell dropped Cunningham twice before it was finally stopped.

He landed a hard left hand shot on the first knockdown and a short right hook on the final one.

Cunningham, a native of Detroit, hadn’t lost a fight since 2007. His record now sits at 24-3.

With the impressive victory, Dirrell hopes to earn a title shot in the new year.

His absence from boxing has only heightened the pressure for him to succeed in 2012.

“Time will tell what I do next, but I’m going to continue to work hard,” Dirrell said. “There is such a small window. I’m 28 years old. I’m just going to continue to push forward.